Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Matthew 18

Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Who is the greatest

Luk 9:46-48.

kingdom of heaven [See also Mat 18:3, 4, 23.]

Scofield Matthew 3:2, note

Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

a little child

Luk 18:14-17; Psa 131:2.

Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

offend

cause to stumble. Mar 9:42; Luk 17:1-2.

Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

world

kosmos = man-kind. Scofield Matthew 4:8, note.

Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

offend thee, cut them off

Mat 5:29-30; Mar 9:43-48.

life

Life (eternal). Mat 18:8-9; 19:16-29. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

everlasting

The Greek has the before "everlasting."

Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

hell

Greek gehenna. Scofield Matthew 5:22, note.

Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

angels

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Son of man

See Scofield Matthew 8:20, note

save

Scofield Romans 1:16, note

lost

Greek apollumi. Scofield John 3:16, note.

Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

if a man have an hundred sheep

Parables (N.T.). Mat 18:12-14, 23-35; 20:1-16. (Mat 5:13-16; Luk 21:29-31).

Luk 15:4-7.

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

if thy brother

Luk 17:3-4; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 4:30-32.

trespass

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

in the mouth of two

Mat 18:19.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

church

Or, assembly. 1Co 5:3-5; 6:1, 5.

an heathen man and a publican

the Gentile and the tax gatherer.

Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

bind on earth shall be bound in heaven

Mat 16:19; Jhn 20:22-23.

Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

that they shall ask

1Pe 3:7.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

two or three are gathered together

Act 20:7; 1Co 14:26.

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

how oft

Cf. Mat 18:15; Luk 17:4.

sin

Scofield Romans 3:23, note

forgive

Forgiveness. Mat 18:21, 27, 32, 35; Mar 2:5-10. (Lev 4:20; Mat 26:28.)

Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

seventy times seven

Psa 78:40.

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

take account of

Or, make settlement with.

Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

not to pay

Rom 3:19-20; 5:8.

Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Lord, have patience with me

Luk 15:19; Eze 18:21.

Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

forgave him the debt

Eph 1:7.

Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

pence

denarius = 7 1/2 pence; 15 cents.

Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

he would not

Eph 4:31, 32; Col 3:12, 13.

Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

I forgave thee all that debt

Luk 7:41-43.

Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

tormentors

The ground of law, of exact justice. Cf. grace, Rom 3:23-24; Eph 4:30; Scofield John 1:17, note.